Smart IR controller

arrianalexander

Thinking of getting one of these for the sitting room for the tv and sound bar.

Has anyone any experience how good they are or recommend anyone in particular?

Clareman

By all accounts the Harmony is the best, I tried them years ago and couldn't get used to them, too finkey and never got it setup right. I put everything through the Shield now and the 1 remote does everything for me

arrianalexander

My plan is to just use an old phone.

That way can control lights , sockets and tv through it

I've shield as well , but have to turn on tv first with tv remote , the sound bar powers on with it but powers off after inactivity so have to use it then.

Want to be able to put all the remotes away and just have phone out to cover everything

Clareman

arrianalexander wrote: »

My plan is to just use an old phone.

That way can control lights , sockets and tv through it

I've shield as well , but have to turn on tv first with tv remote , the sound bar powers on with it but powers off after inactivity so have to use it then.

Want to be able to put all the remotes away and just have phone out to cover everything

I had a tablet setup to just act as a controller, i kept on forgetting to charge it. I've a fairly simple TV setup though, TV with Saor View & Freesat, Shield for online stuff, sound bar is connected to the TV via SPDIF and I've a Google Max connected to the Shield. It's very rare that I use the sound bar or Max, joys of children

donspeekinglesh

I use the Harmony. Took a bit of setting up, but now I have it controlling the TV, Shield, Blu-ray player, and Virgin Horizon box. All the original remotes are put away, and everyone happily uses the Harmony.
Also have it set to control the Xbox 360, the lights and a couple of sockets.

After the Shield itself, it's probably the best gadget I've bought for the house.

arrianalexander

Do you have a link to the one you have

donspeekinglesh

It’s the Harmony Elite: https://www.logitech.com/en-us/products/harmony/harmony-elite.html

Have it just over 2 years (got it on sale as it’s not cheap), wouldn’t be without it.

arrianalexander

donspeekinglesh wrote: »

It’s the Harmony Elite: https://www.logitech.com/en-us/products/harmony/harmony-elite.html

Have it just over 2 years (got it on sale as it’s not cheap), wouldn’t be without it.

Ouch that's pricey , cheers though

Clareman

The Harmony is the mutts nutts in fairness, its often on sale so I'd say keep an eye out for it to drop in price and pick it up

balcan

Got 1 of these from Amazon for £15, use it for turning on the TV and soundbar via Amazon echo voice command, Works a treat.

Broadlink Smart Home Hub, RM Mini3 Smart Wi-Fi IR Universal Remote Control, One for All Infrared Controller

kingtiger

I use the RM4 broadlink, does the job nicely

I use it through homeassistant so haven't used the mobile app though

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Newest-Broadlink-UNIVERSAL-Automation-Compatible-BLACK/dp/B088WF9MJ6/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=broadlink+rm4+pro&qid=1615039685&sprefix=broadlink&sr=8-5